Alpine Mountaineering Equipment List
This is a summary of what I typically use for 3-4 season mountaineering outings in the Sierra Nevada or similar ranges. (*=group gear). The winter list is also included.For a particular outing, I’ll select from these lists.
Items in italics are especially recommended!
Hyperlight Mountain Gear Southwest 4400 pack, 70cm Raven ice axe, carbon fiber trek poles, Couloir harness, stainless steel 12pt step-in crampons or New-Matics such as Grivels
Options: ULA Catalyst pack or Black Diamond Quantum 65
Hilleberg tents: Soulo (1 person), Allak (2-person), Nammatj 2 (2 person)
Mountain Hardware (MHW) pile hat, neck gaiter, Altigaiters, snowshoes, balaclava, Altitude shell gloves, Ozone
gloves, merino wool hiking shirt
Western Mountaineering (WM) 5 deg F 850 down Antelope or 20 F Alpenlite sleeping bag / Silnylon or HMG cuben fiber stuff sack [respectively], Vapor jacket
Marmot soft shell pants
Smartwool leggings, sleeping socks
Cascade Designs Z-rest sleeping pad and/or Thermarest NeoAir X-Therm pad
REI Minimalist biv sack, Elements rainpants, storm matches butane lighter, wool/liner socks, Glomitts
MSR Windburner or Reactor stove, 2.5 L pot w hanging kit and large fuel canister*
freeze-dried foods, GU gels/Chomps; chocolate drink mix; Gregory bear bag (L) or Ursack
Clif bars
Black Diamond Icon LED headlamp
Panasonic Lumix SZ-70 P&S 4K camera, batteries, cards
La Sportiva boots- Batura GTX
Sun protection: sunscreen, lip balm, hat with detachable neck shade
Arc’teryx thin shirt, Alpha soft shell jacket w hood; Outdoor Research Helium 2020 rain jacket
Nalgene: 1 liter Lexan bottle in Outdoor Research bottle insulator; 3L Hydrapak U-bottle; Potable Aqua chlorine dioxide tablets
Hydrapak 2 L collapsible water bottles, optional
Smith ski goggles
WAG sanitation bag/ OP sacks
Map, compass*
Additional considerations/substitutions:
Climbing gear to match the destination, incl 8mmx 30m dry rope/s, ice screws, rock pro as needed
Wands/pockets
Analog altimeter
Hyperlight Mountain Gear 8.5 ft square tarp or Ultramid 2 tent and snow stakes
Match other sleeping bags and shelters (such as tents) to summer or winter conditions- and for really cold weather, La Sportiva Batura boots
VBL clothing/WM Hotsac, which can double as an emergency biv sack
BD Quantum 65 for larger loads, winter use
MHW Absolute Zero down parka, MHW Voodoo Primaloft synthetic oversized belay jacket
MSR XGK EX liquid-fuel stove, with white gas or kerosene bottles; MSR Windpro II inverted-canister stove with 2L MSR Titan pot set
BD Venom ice tools
Yang Fang snow saw, BD shovel and av probe pole if igloo or other snow shelter is considered
Notes:
1- I ‘ve abandoned XC skiing for snowshoes because I feel they’re safer, they’re MUCH lighter, no maintenance, and a lot less stress on knee joints.
2- I’ll use various stoves incl my favorite liquid fuel stove, the MSR XGK-EX, depending on trip specifics- but in general, in temps above single digits F I’ve come to rely on canister stoves.EASY. Usually hot enough. Much improved wind performance since several years ago. I feel they’re safer.
3- Regarding winter tents: my advice is to take a serious look at HMG Ultramids- 2, 4. I have both of these, and find that the simplicity and spaciousness are major advantages. They are extremely light, as well. My HMG cuben fiber square tarp serves up to 2 at less than 1 pound, including guylines.
4- Please feel free to contact me for more details!
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